The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1887-09-22
The Future of Our BOYS.


Mr.. Noah Brooks, whom all boys
will recognize as one of their best
friends, and as one of the most in
teresting writer's for the young peo-
pie Of this country, comments IN
forcible way on question OF ever
pressing importance in the current
Issue of the Epoch. 1t is, "What
shall be done with our boy? He
finds the learned professions full,
and many avenues of work either
crowded or closed. The sea, which
formerly gave occupation to thou
sands of brave American boys, is
now sailed by vessels manned by
foreigners. The employments once
wholly filled by male youth are now
largely occupied by women. These
include clerical positions, private
secretaryships, and the like. 1t is
true that the new order of thin
makes competition sharper, and
gives boys fewer chances; but this
country is so large and its interests
and demands so multifarous that
there is always something for ev-
cry one to do. 1t stands to reason
that all boys can not achieve wealth
and fame; but as the years 60 by
the proportion Of the fortunate ones
will constantly grow larger. What
is needed more than anything else
to add to the usefulness and honor
of the coming generations is a
. higher and fuller appreciation OF
: the dignity of labor.
We have in mind the experienc c
of Marylander, who was left sever
al thousand dollars by his father,
He did not squander it, as mar
: boys would have done, but he de-
termined to spend it all, and he die
it in such q way that it became the
: very best investment that he could
} have made. He went into one Of
2 the railway shops Of the city al
r nominal wages and paid the rest Of
his expenses out Of his little for
tune. He learned all he could in 6
} practical way there, and entered s
) frst-class school of technology
By the time he graduated his money
e was all gone, but he was able tt
3 earn his way. He kept on learning
and the consequence was that h'
e soon rose to az excellent position
= andoto-day he is in receipt Of 1
+ splendid salary, and is considered
: one of the best men in his profession
: in the country.
!. Mr.. Roberts, the wonderfully abb
: and astute president of the grea
4 Pennsylvania railroad, started GU
j. as a chain carrier in a surveyin!
s party.
K Mr.. Frank Thompson, the vice.
: president Of the same road, was a
= apprentice in the Altoona shop:
d Mr.. Samuel Spencer of the B. q o
re and one OF the best railroad men i
d the country, was o clerk not man
years ago at Camden Station. II
t. stances innumerable could be cited
e and the moral of them all would b
if to learn trade, and to trust to in
Of dustry and application for promo
J. ton. The future of our boys is tn
n, tugure Of our country. We hav
N not the slightest doubt that it WI
l. be brilliant and substantial; br
g. the individual cases of marked SUI
le cess must always depend upon th
of capacity and industry of the ind
g viduals. Boys who look upon Iii
as serious problem, that must
is worked out and net played gu
to are able to take care of themselve
y The idlers, who expect to live G
a money which they do not earn. a.
J. the drones in the great mai! ional hiN
es Of MISUNDERSTANDING American